Ex-Zambo del Norte execs face perjury raps

MANILA, Philippines - Ceasar Soriano and his wife Perliza, former mayor and vice mayor, respectively, of Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, are facing charges for allegedly misdeclaring their joint statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).

Assistant special prosecutor Jorge Espinal of the Office of the Ombudsman said the couple committed perjury for a “deliberate assertion of falsehood” when they did not declare their business ventures in sand and gravel supply, digital imaging, wine and liquor distribution, money transfer and pawnshop in their SALN for 2011.

“There is sufficient ground to engender a well-founded belief that the crime charged has been committed...the accused are probably guilty hereof and should be held for trial,” a certification attached to the charge sheet read.

Article 11 Section 17 of the Constitution as well as Section 8 of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees mandate public officials and employees to disclose their assets, liabilities, net worth, financial and business interests, including those of their spouses and of unmarried children under 18 years living in their households.

Soriano was also charged with graft for failing to submit his SALN within 30 days after his term ended.

The ombudsman set a bail of P6,000 each for the couple aside from an additional P10,000 for Soriano for breach of conduct.